| This study measured the impact of new library information technologies on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the professors at five of the schools offering graduate programs at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. Participants were asked their age, gender, years of experience, and school with which they were affiliated. A questionnaire was designed to conduct this quantitative survey. The data collected were analyzed using different types of statistical analysis, models of frequency, percent, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Overall, the study findings revealed that these library information technologies had a minor impact on participants' knowledge and skills. The results also demonstrated respondents' positive attitude toward learning about these resources and how to apply them in their academic activities. Likewise, the findings revealed that most participants were at the stage of grassroots development in terms of general technology knowledge and skills. Therefore, not significant differences in the relationships between their demographic variables were found. The study uncovered the need to improve faculty access to and use of information technology. The perceptions of the obstacles that impeded the use of new library information technologies suggested to these schools and libraries the need to enhance their access to campus networks, to increase computer resources, and to develop library services and training programs in support of faculty needs and information-seeking patterns in the technology environment. A "best" model for teacher education considering the needs, interest, skills, and abilities of these faculties was recommended. |
